Round 2 Game 3 Frame-by Frame: Kesler’s First Goal

The Situation

Although Vancouver dominated the first period, the lone goal was a shorthanded marker by Predators’ David Legwand. But in the dying seconds of the period, Luongo suckered the refs into calling a high-sticking penalty on Smithson. The Canucks started the second with the man-advantage, but nearly gave up another shorthanded marker as Ehrhoff turned the puck over twice.

Frame 1

Finally Vancouver gets out of their zone and up the ice. Henrik takes the puck at Nashville’s blue line.

Frame 2

Shane O’Brien’s the lone man back as Henrik and Kesler come in 2-on-1. But instead of passing to Kesler, Henrik drops the puck to his brother.

Frame 3

The Sedins cut to the middle, and Daniel spots the trailer. He quickly throws the puck to Christian Ehrhoff, as Joel Ward spins around figuring out what’s going on.

Frame 4

Ehrhoff glides in. Kesler blocks Rinne, and O’Brien drops to his knees. Everyone’s expecting Ehrhoff to shoot.

Frame 5

Ehrhoff goes by O’Brien as Rinne goes down to stop the shot. Notice how aggressively Rinne is challenging Ehrhoff. Only Kesler anticipates what’s about to happen: he twists around to get his stick ready.

Frame 6

Ehrhoff simply goes around Rinne. Kesler is as wide open as the net is: O’Brien let him go to block Ehrhoff’s shot, and Ward and Klein are standing still, watching.

Frame 7

Finally, Kesler buries one, in his tenth game of the 2011 playoffs. It’s also Vancouver’s first powerplay goal in 5 games.